BUT AS I have been writing, on this 2019 visit, we anchored right in the harbor in Monaco, and tendered in to the very busy and congested Monaco waterfront, where our guide picked us up and immediately took us out and away from Monaco. 😐 But it was actually o.k. In his mind, he saved the "best" for last, and had us very close to our ship at the end, so we really had little chance of missing our all-aboard time.
ANOTHER EVENT that we were vaguely aware of was the Monaco Grand Prix race. Again, perhaps the most famous (certainly one of) such race in the world. The course largely follows the main drive around the waterfront and up near the casino. Our driver actually drove us the entire loop of the race. There is, of course, the probable most famous "hairpin" turn in grand prix racing, right at the waterfront. It was hard for us to believe that this tight little circle was actually part of a race.
BUT MONACO is about more than gambling and racing. It is also about wealth (a place where the world's wealthiest people gather- primarily for entertainment, but also to make more money). 😃It is also a place to preserve one's wealth. There is no personal income tax for a permanent resident of Monaco. However, it is not a simple matter of finding housing, getting a drivers license and registering to vote. In order to apply for permanent residency, one must either show proof of ownership (individually or corporate) or rental of residential real property in which the live. Alternatively, they may show proof that they live with a close relative (spouse or partner). An applicant must also show proof of financial self-sufficiency (normally proof of at least $500,000 euro in a Monaco bank). Alternatively, they can show proof of paid employment by a Monaco company, or support by a close relative (again, spouse or partner). After 10 years of permanent residency, one can apply for Monaco Citizenship. One of the advantages of a Monaco residency is visa-free entry to any of the 27 "Schengen Area Countries." Monaco levies not income, wealth transfer, or property taxes, and very low corporate taxes.
AND THEN there is Royalty! Monaco has been ruled throughout its history, by the House of Grimaldi, now the longest reigning monarchy in the world. The current Prince (recall that Monaco is considered - historically - a "Principality") is Albert II. The Prince of Monaco acts as its executive officer and shares legislative power with a legislative council. Monaco is one of only 3 such nations in western Europe where the monarchy retains political power (the other two being Liechtenstein and the Vatican). The judiciary power in Monaco is also held by the Monarchy. One of the "must see" sights in Monaco is "The Prince's Palace." The Palace and surrounds is itself like a small city within Monaco.
MANY OF us remember one of the most famous Princes: Prince Rainier, Albert II's father (and predecessor). When he died in 2005, Rainier was Europe's longest reigning monarch. He ruled the principality for 56 years and is widely recognized as the primary force behind Monaco's transformation from a gambling resort to its vaunted tax and business haven of today. But more than likely the real reason most of us remember him is because of his American movie star wife, (Princess) Grace Kelly. The marriage in 1956 garnered national attention. The two had three children, (Princess) Caroline, Stephanie, and of course, Prince Albert (II). But what is perhaps most remembered is the tragic death of Princess Grace on a road in Monaco high about the Monte Carlo Casino in 1982. According to Encyclopedia Brittanica, she suffered a stroke while driving, and plunged over a ravine suffering severe injuries and leading to her death a day later. The incident made international news.
AFTER GETTING in our views of Monte Carlo, we went up the hill, to "The Prince's Palace." Situated on a Scenic and strategic high point over Monaco, the grounds are what you might expect for palace in one of the world's most wealthy places. Seeing the interior requires a ticket and entrance fee. As well, the palace is only open certain times. Our day's logistics didn't for that (on either of our trips to Monaco). It would certainly be nice someday, to see the inside.
WHAT WE did do, though, was get some pretty spectacular "up high" views of Monaco.
And . . . we are cruising again, for the next couple weeks, this time on the Celebrity Edge (our third voyage on her, I think), to Iceland, Ireland and England. See you when we return - hopefully with more stories, pictures, and memories!
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